Boltless storage cabinet

ABSTRACT

A cabinet comprises a plurality of selected cabinet-defining components wherein components defining said cabinet integrally define at least one respective cooperating part of at least one coupling element, said components all secured respectively together exclusively by said respective cooperating parts and the coupling elements formed by said respective cooperating parts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cabinets and more particularly to storagecabinets made primarily of sheet metal components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage cabinets have been made for years of sheet metal componentsincluding backs, sides, tops, bottoms, doors, kick plates and shelves.These cabinets are frequently shipped in collapsed or unassembledcondition, and later erected by the buyer. Assembly of these componentshas typically been facilitated through the use of fasteners such asbolts, screws, rivets and clips, to name a few, packaged with thecabinets. And while such cabinets are desirably light in weight forshipping, transport and assembly considerations, it is also desirablethat in erected form, they provide a substantial, tight, strong andrigid appearance and feel. While newly erected cabinets may be sturdy,over time and through use or stress, they are subject to loosening offasteners. When that happens, the cabinets may feel flimsy when used oropened.

Moreover, when unassembled cabinets are erected through the use offasteners, the correct fasteners in size and count must be providedalong with the cabinet components. This need is accompanied by supply,inventory, packing and package quality control issues as will beappreciated in the industry. Moreover, tools are typically required toinstall to manipulate or to operate the fasteners

As a result, the industry has recently witnessed a reduction in thedesign number of fasteners necessary to erect a cabinet, but evensmaller numbers of required fasteners have the foregoing inherentdisadvantages.

Accordingly, it has been one objective of this invention to provide astorage cabinet which can be erected and used without the use orapplication of separate fasteners.

Another objective of the invention has been to provide an improvedstorage cabinet.

Another objective has been to provide improved methods for erecting acabinet without the use of separate fasteners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To these ends, a cabinet according to the invention is comprised of anumber of cabinet components operatively and tightly engagable withother respective components without the use of separate fasteners and todefine an assembled cabinet. No bolts, screws, rivets, clips or threadedfasteners of any type are necessary to assembly of the cabinet accordingto the invention, yet the erected cabinet is consistently sturdy, tight,rigid and substantial in appearance and use. Juxtaposed cabinetcomponents are interconnected or inter-engaged through the use ofrespective cooperating parts defined integrally in the cabinetcomponents themselves and cooperating, when engaged with respectivecooperating parts, to form a coupling element securing the juxtaposedcomponents together. When components are manipulated intointerconnecting engagement, they are rigidly secured in place definingin combination a rigid cabinet structure without the need for, and inthe absence of any threaded fastener, rivet or other separate fastener.

Accordingly, it is not necessary to secure, to inventory, to package, todispense or to use any separate fasteners or group thereof with any suchcabinet. The disassembled components can be shipped, transported anderected without separate fasteners and without the tools such fastenerstypically require.

With more particularity, the cabinet components are respectivelyprovided with integral and cooperating interlocking features orcooperating parts which rigidly secure the components together in a wayto define an assembled cabinet without separate fasteners. The cabinetcomponents preferably include a back comprising two back panels, tworespective side panels, a bottom, a front kick plate, a top and severalother internal cabinet frame members. These are respectively providedwith a plurality of cooperating parts, which may comprise slots, tabs,apertures, bridge forms and projections or other parts or features aswill be described, for operatively interlocking the cabinet componentstogether.

In this manner, the individual cabinet components can be combinedtogether in a relatively flat package for shipping and transport. A useropens the package and assembles the cabinet from the components in theflat package without fasteners and without the tools previously requiredwith such fasteners. This is accomplished by juxtaposing respectivecomponents adjacent one another and moving them relative to one anotherto couple the cooperating parts, thus defining coupling elementssecuring the components together to define the cabinet.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be readilyappreciated from the following detailed description and from thedrawings in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boltless storage cabinet according toone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 1 in disassembledform and showing components thereof but omitting the doors for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional broken view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1with the doors omitted for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional broken view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1with the doors omitted for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional broken view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1with the doors omitted for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in expanded scale of the encircled area6 of FIG. 3 showing features of the inter-engagement of the cabinet backpanels;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in expanded scale detail of theencircled area 7 of FIG. 4 showing features of the inter-engagement ofback and side panels and top brackets;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view in expanded scale of the encircled area8 of FIG. 4 showing features of the inter-engagement of the side panelsand bottom structures of the cabinet;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view in expanded scale of the encircled area9 of FIG. 5 showing features of the inter-engagement of the side paneland bottom post;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view in expanded scale of the encircledarea of FIG. 5 showing features of the inter-engagement of the sidepanel and kick plate;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view in expanded detail of the encircledarea of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view in expanded detail of the encircledarea of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view in expanded detail of the encircledarea of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic or graphical illustration of both parts of thedetent latch structure according to the invention; and

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic or graphical illustration of both parts of thedetent latch structure of FIG. 17 and illustrates the cooperation of thetwo detent parts, in latched, engaged or locked condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, while FIG. 1 shows an assembled cabinet 10according to the invention, one embodiment of the invention is perhapsbetter understood from FIG. 2 where the cabinet 10 of FIG. 1 isillustrated in exploded or expanded view. In FIG. 2, components definingthe cabinet 10 of one embodiment of the invention include but are notlimited to the following members: top member 13; side members 14, 15;back member 16 comprising back panels 17, 18; bottom member 19; andfront kick plate member 20. In addition, the components may include aplurality of frame members or brackets as will be described. Also, sidemembers 14, 15, back member 18 and back panels 17, 18 are sometimesreferred to herein as “wall members”, singly or jointly.

According to the invention, the components of cabinet 10 areinterconnected or coupled together without fasteners such as bolts,screws, rivets and the like. This is accomplished by coupling elements,certain of which include a set or pair of cooperating parts as will bedescribed. One such cooperation part is defined in one respectivecomponent while a respective cooperating part is defined in an adjacentrespective component. When the cooperating parts are aligned and the tworespective components moved relative to each other, the cooperatingparts form a coupling element which secures the two respectivecomponents together. Multiple coupling elements are preferably used forsecuring certain of the components together, while fewer or only onecoupling element are used in other positions to secure componentstogether. These coupling elements may be of the same form and structureor a variety of forms, as desired.

Details of a variety of coupling elements are shown in the larger scaleFIGS. 6-10 respectively, showing enlargements of areas 6-10 in FIGS.3-5.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, back member 16 preferably includes twoback panels 17, 18. One back panel 17 has defined therein a plurality ofprotruding tabs such as those at 25, while back panel 18 has definedtherein a corresponding plurality of tab receiving apertures, such asthose at 26 (FIG. 2). Such tabs and apertures are preferably similar tothose described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/262,856, Publication No. 2006/0144809, published Jul. 6, 2006; and inco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,484, published Jul.6, 2006 as Publication No. 2006/0144607.

To assemble the back member 16, panels 17, 18 are juxtaposed adjacentone another and are manipulated so the tabs 25 of panel 17 are insertedinto the apertures 26 of panel 18. The tabs 25 and apertures 26respectively define coupling elements securing panels 17, 18 into a backmember 16.

Back panels 17, 18 at their outer edges are folded or bent to formintegral columns 28, 29 as shown in FIG. 2, of any desiredcross-sectional shapes, these structures enhancing wall member andcabinet rigidity. Just inside these columns 28, 29 are formed aplurality of cooperating parts or apertures 30. These will cooperatewith cooperating parts of respective side members 14, 15 as will bedescribed.

Side members 14, 15 each have inwardly extending flanges 31, 32. Eachflange 31, 32 has defined therein a plurality of tabs 33, protruding onthe inward side of flanges 31, 32.

Side members 14, 15 are interconnected to respective back panels 17, 18in the following manner. A side panel 14, 15 is juxtaposed adjacent arespective back panel 17, 18 such that tabs 33 are operatively alignedwith respective apertures 30. Movement of the side panel 14, 15 withrespect to the respective back panel 17, 18 inserts respective tabs 33into respective apertures 30. These cooperating parts 33, 30 thus definecoupling elements such as coupling element 35 shown in enlarged scale inFIG. 6. It will be appreciated that the flanges 31, 32 lie alongsideback panels 17, 18 respectively, and the flanges 31, 32, together withthe engagement of tabs 33 and apertures 30 and the friction exerted bythe tabs on the back panels 17, 18 secure these respective componentsrigidly together.

Apertures 30 and 26 are formed of a size to frictionally engage the tabs33, 25 respectively. Secure coupling is thus provided between thecoupled components.

Once the side members 14, 15 are respectively engaged with and coupledto the back panels 17, 18, the kick plate 20 is assembled to the cabinet10. In this regard, the forward edges of side members 14, 15 are eachprovided with turned-in forward side flanges, such as those shown at 38,39 (FIG. 2). These flanges define columns 38A, 39A, respectively, ofrectangular or other cross-section, as shown. In addition, side members14, 15 at their lower edges, include inwardly turned bottom flanges 41,42. Each flange 41, 42 has near its forward end a recess 43, 44 and abendable or moveable tab extending therein from the flange, such as tab45 extending in recess 43.

The flanges 38, 39 of side members 14, 15 also include recesses, such asrecess 47 in flange 38, having a tab 48 extending therein.

Kick plate 20 has an inwardly directed elongated return 21 terminatingin a vertical flange 22 (FIG. 2, FIG. 3). Return 21 and flange 22terminate short of the ends 23, 24 of kick plate 20 (FIG. 2). Kick plate20 also includes a bottom flange 27 which extends all the way to theslightly rebated (FIG. 2) ends 23, 24 of the kick plate 20.

Corner frame members 50, 51 formed in a channel or U-shape are providedwith recesses 52, 53 respectively in each rearwardly extending flange54-57 respectively. The corner members 50, 51 are spot-welded orotherwise fixed to the ends 23, 24 of kick plate 20 at the manufacturerprior to shipping of the disassembled cabinet. The members 50, 51respectively extend upwardly, vertically, within the columns 38A, 39Aformed by respective flanges 38, 39.

The kick plate 20, side members 14, 15 and corner members 50, 51 arecombined and assembled in the following manner. The kick plate 20 andcorner member 50 on rebated end 23, is oriented just behind flange 38 ofside member 14. Rebated end 24, having corner member 51 attached, ispositioned just behind flange 39 and column 39A. Kick plate 20, ends 23,24 and corner members 50, 51 are pushed forwardly so the corner members50, 51 are positioned within columns 38A, 39A, respectively. Both cornermembers 50, 51 are thus disposed just behind kick plate ends 23, 24respectively, within the columns 38A, 39A defined by respective flanges38, 39 and “sandwich” the kick plate ends 23, 24 between the cornermembers 50, 51 and the flanges 38, 39. At this time, tabs 45 in recesses43, 44 are bent upwardly to capture the ends of the kick plate bottomflange 27 and secure it from moving rearwardly (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 10).Tabs 48 in flanges 38, 39 of side members 14, 15 are then bent in anoutward direction into and behind recesses 47 and into recess 52 (flange55) of corner frame member 50 and similar recess 53 in flange 56 ofcorner frame member 51 to secure the corner frame members 50, 51respectively, in columns 38A, 39A. Tabs 48 retain corner members 50, 51vertically and laterally while tabs 45 retain column members 50, 51laterally. The upper return 21 and vertical flange 22 terminate at theinside of flanges 55, 56 of corner frame members 50, 51 respectively.

It will be appreciated that tabs 48 with recesses 47 and 52, and tabs 45with recesses 43 cooperating with kick plate 20 comprise couplingelements securing respective components together as described.

A bottom member 19 is now assembled to cabinet 10. in this regard, backpanels 17, 18 define inwardly projecting and elongated tabs 61, 62. Sidemembers 14, 15 each define an inwardly extending tab 67, 68. Bottommember 19 has a downwardly projecting rear flange 63, downwardlyprojecting forward flange 64 and two downwardly projecting side flanges65, 66.

The bottom member is placed into the now-partially assembled cabinet 10by inserting its rear flange 63 behind tabs 61, 62, its side flanges 65,66 behind respective louvers or extended tabs 67, 68 in side members 14,15 and flange 64 over the vertical flange 22 of kick plate 20. Thebottom member is pushed downwardly (see FIGS. 1 and 2) so its flanges63, 65, 66 are frictionally held between these noted tabs and thecomponents from which the tabs are defined, thereby securing the bottommember 19 to components 14, 15, 17 and 18. FIG. 8 illustrates theengagement of bottom member 19 to back panel 17 while FIGS. 3-5illustrate the engagement of bottom member 19 to side member 14 (withits engagement to side 15 being similar).

The top structure of cabinet 10 is now assembled as follows. Top member13 has a plurality of flanges extending downwardly from its respectiveedges and including rear flange 70, front flange 71, and side flanges72, 73. Downwardly extending top brackets preferably including a rearbracket 75, and two side brackets 76, 77 are preferably spot welded totop member 13 just inside the respective rear flange 70 and side flanges72, 73. These brackets 75-77 extend downwardly and are preferablyprovided with tab or bridge receiving apertures such as at 78 (see FIG.7). The brackets are disposed parallel to and adjacent to the respectiveflanges 70, 72, 73 extending from the top, preferably with just enoughspace therebetween to sandwich therebetween upper portions ofcorresponding respective wall members.

Top member 13 also has an integral forward edge from which downwardlyextending flange 83 depends, having a return 84 and a terminatingdownwardly extending flange 85.

Side members 14, 15 further define, proximate their top edges,projections or “bridges” 80 as shown (FIG. 7). Back panels 17, 18 alsofurther define projections or bridges 81.

Further components at the top member 13 of cabinet 10 include uppercorner frame members 86, 87 affixed, such as by spot welding or othersuitable fixture expedient to top 13. These preferably extend only apredetermined distance downwardly from the top portion of cabinet 10,their extension preferably being relatively short so the top member 13with corner members 86, 87 does not add significantly to the thicknessof the packaged, disassembled cabinet 10 when shipped.

Preferably, the front return 84 and terminating flange 85 of top member13 terminate short of the ends of side flanges 72, 73 to accommodate theflanges 38, 39 or side members 14, 15 respectively. On assembly, cornermembers 86, 87 are disposed within the columns defined by flanges 38, 39at the top of cabinet 10. Corner members 86, 87 include upper rearwardlyextending flanges 88, 89 which are spot-welded to top 13.

It will be appreciated that corner members 50, 51 and 86, 87 can be spotwelded in place by the manufacturer where desired and shipped within thecabinet to facilitate later assembly. Brackets 75-77 may also bepre-spot welded by the manufacturer to top member 13.

The top member 13 is assembled by pressing the top over the back panels17, 18 and side members 14, 15.

The top side brackets 76, 77 capture the upper ends of the side panels14, 15 between the brackets 76, 77 and the side flanges 72, 73 of thetop. Likewise, the rear bracket 75 captures the upper ends of the backpanels 17, 18 between the bracket 75 and rear flange 70 of the top 13.

On assembly, the bridges 80, 81 are urged into the respective apertures78 of the brackets 75-77, securing the top member 13 to side members 14,15 and back panels 17, 18. Top flanges 70, 72, 73 cover and obscure therespective bridges 81 and apertures 78, providing a clean, unobstructedand substantial top structure to cabinet 10.

In this regard, the upper edges or margins of side members 14, 15 andback panels 17, 18 are “swaged” or clamped by the top, between therespective brackets and flanges. The brackets “give” or flex only enoughto accommodate the extensions of the bridge parts 31, then flex back tosecure the bridges 81 within the apertures as provided.

The corner members 86, 87 are pushed down and received in the columns38A, 39A formed by flanges 38, 39 in the side members.

Thereafter, and if desired, doors 94, 95 may be mounted to the cabinetby means of integral hinge parts (not shown) attached or defined inflange structures 38, 39 by the manufacturer.

Finally, and in order to facilitate assembly and performance of thecabinet 10, detent latches are punched and formed into selected cabinetmembers for cooperation with adjacent components. For example, detentprojections can be formed by upsetting metal in a flange 38, 39. Theseextend into an aperture or cooperating detent depression, formed bycutting out or by upsetting metal in corner posts 50, 51 and 86, 87 tofacilitate the interconnection of the corner posts to respective cabinetmembers as will be appreciated.

Such detents are of similar construction and are preferably used in fourlocations in the completed cabinet 10. The construction and operation ofthe detents are illustrated graphically, for clarity, in FIGS. 17 and 18with the detent structures being similar except for their orientationnoted below. One detent 90 is located in each of the flanges 38, 39 andin lower corner posts 50, 51.

A second detent 91 is located near each upper ends of flanges 38, 39 andin upper corner posts 86, 87. Detents 90 and 91 comprise or may beconsidered to define “coupling elements” as that phrase is used herein.

The structure of detents 90, 91 is the same as follows. Detents 90 and91 each include a projection 92 formed by upsetting metal in a flange38, 39. These projections extend outwardly from a surface of flanges 38,39 in a “half moon” shape, having a tapered end 93 and a flat edge 94when the detent is upset from the metal of the flanges.

Projection receiving apertures 95 in the corner members 50, 51 have aflat edge 96 and are located in an adjacent component such as the cornerposts 50, 51. Upon assembly, the tapered edge 93 of projection 92 andthe aperture 95 in the adjacent component are moved respectively to eachother. Once the aperture 95 slips over the projection 92, the edge 94engages edge 96, preventing withdrawal of the component in an oppositedirection. The components are thus locked or latched together.

Accordingly, the corner posts 50, 51 can be pushed laterally intocolumns 38A, 39A with flange 55 and 56 respectively, passing overtapered ends 93 of projection 92, until the projection 92 falls intoapertures 95, which latches the posts 50, 51 into columns 38A, 39A.

It will be appreciated the tapered end 93 points or extends laterallyand rearwardly and in an opposite direction to the movement (arrow A,FIG. 14) of the cooperating elements 50, 51 when they are pushed overthe projection 93. Thereafter, the apertures 95 fall over the frontedges 96 of the detents and the two parts 92, 95 cooperate to latch thecooperating components together.

At the upper end of the cabinet, the tapered ends 93 of the detents 91are directed upwardly. As the upper corner posts 86, 87 are pusheddownwardly into columns 38A, 38B, the apertures 95 in posts 86, 87 rideover, then receive projections 92, latching the components together. Theflanges of the posts 86, 87, bearing the upset detent or apertures 95,slide over the projections 92 until the apertures in the posts fall overthe detent edges 94, locking posts 86, 87 into columns 38A, 39Arespectively.

From the foregoing and the drawings, the following additional aspects ofthe invention will be appreciated. For example, it will be appreciatedthat the components of the cabinet 10 are not merely connected together,but are interlocked in a way such that they form rigid junctures, onewith the other and thus provide a very rigid cabinet structure. in thisregard, it should be noted that the tabs and slots such as at 25 and 26and at 33 and 30 hold the respective components in which they are formedin place laterally; the top 13 of cabinet 10 is “swaged” (flanges 70,73, 73 and brackets 75, 76, 77) over the sides 14, 15, and back panels17, 18, adding strength and rigidity; the top corner posts 86, 87 arelocked in on three surfaces, thus preventing further tightening and alsofurther stabilizing the cabinet 10 and preventing “rocking”; the bottomkick plate is secured via corner members 50, 51, locked in on threesurfaces, preventing further tightening, and further stabilizing cabinet10 and preventing rocking; and the kick plate and posts 50, 51 arelocked in with additional tabs 45, 48 bent over and abutting the posts50, 51 further securing parts from disengagement. All these featurescontribute to a strong, rigid cabinet 10.

In addition, the interconnection of the bottom member 19 in and tocabinet 10 adds to the rigidity of the cabinet, the bottom 19 beingsupported by four louvers 61, 62, 67 and 68 respectively, in back panels17, 18 and side members 14, 15 and the bottom 19 securing thosecomponents together along a flange 64 engaging flange 22 of kick plate20. The interconnection of these features adds to the rigidity of thecabinet 10. Moreover, the forward edge of bottom 19 rests on kick plate20, adding to the load capacity of bottom 19.

It will also be appreciated that the detents 90, 91 lock together thecomponents in which they are formed, preventing loosening of thosecomponents one from the other during normal use of cabinet 10 due to theunidirectional orientation and locking of abutting surfaces provided bythe detents.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that shelves can be added withincabinet 10 when desired, either by convention en desired, either byconvention shelf brackets or by tabs such as tabs 25 or elongated tabsor louvers formed in the side members 14, 15 and in back panels 17, 18.

Accordingly, the varied combination of components and the couplingelements as described, produce a rigid, tight cabinet, easily shipped,in flat disassembled configuration and easily erected, all without toolsand separate fasteners, yet into a rigid cabinet structure. Theinvention can be provided in a variety of configurations and applicationsuch as in cabinets, shelving, bookcases, lockers and a variety ofstructures as will be appreciated. The term “cabinet” as used herein isconsidered to cover all such and other similar structures.

The finished, assembled cabinet 10 is sturdy, rigid and presents astrong aesthetic look of a more substantial cabinet than anticipatedfrom the raw materials of construction, all without use of any separatefasteners interconnecting or securing the parts, and all without toolsbeing necessary for assembly.

These and other modifications and advantages will be readily appreciatedby those of ordinary skill without departing from the scope of thisinvention and applicant intends to be bound only by the claims appendedhereto.

1. A cabinet comprising a plurality of cabinet-defining componentswherein each component defining said cabinet integrally defines at leastone respective cooperating part of at least one coupling element, saidcomponents all secured respectively together exclusively by saidrespective cooperating parts and the coupling elements formed by saidrespective cooperating parts.
 2. A cabinet comprising a plurality ofcabinet-defining components, at least two components each defining atleast one cooperating part of at least one coupling element and saidcooperating parts of respective components, when respectively coupledtogether, securing said at least two components together as part of saidcabinet.
 3. A cabinet as in claim 2 wherein all of said components areall secured together by means consisting of a plurality of couplingelements and cooperating parts of each coupling element.
 4. A cabinet asin claim 2 wherein said components include at least a back member, twoside members, a bottom member, a top member and a front kick platemember.
 5. A cabinet as in claim 4 wherein said components furtherinclude a plurality of frame members.
 6. A cabinet as in claim 4 whereinsaid back member comprises two back panels.
 7. A cabinet as in claim 2wherein all said cooperating parts are integrally formed in a componentfrom which they are defined.
 8. A cabinet as in claim 2 wherein saidcooperating parts of each coupling element engage each other to coupletogether the respective components in which they are defined.
 9. Acabinet comprising a plurality of components including, at least, aback, two sides, a top, a bottom, a front kick plate, and each of saidcomponents defining at least one cooperating part of at least onetwo-part coupling element, said cooperating parts of each componentbeing joinable to secure one component to another.
 10. A cabinet as inclaim 9 wherein said cooperating parts are integrally formed from therespective component in which they are defined.
 11. A cabinet comprisingat least two respective side members, a back member and a top member,said top member having a top with downwardly depending rear and sideflanges extending therefrom and also having an elongated rear bracketand two elongated side brackets depending from said top proximaterespective said rear and side flanges, said side members each definingproximate top edges thereof at least one first cooperating part of acoupling element and said side brackets each defining at least onesecond cooperating part of said coupling element, said first and secondcooperating parts forming said coupling element when said respectiveside members are disposed between said respective side flanges and saidrespective brackets.
 12. A cabinet as in claim 12 wherein said backmember defines proximate an upper edge thereof at least a thirdcooperating part of a second coupling element and said rear bracketdefines a fourth cooperating part of said second coupling element, saidthird and fourth cooperating parts forming said second coupling elementwhen said back member is disposed between said rear flange and said rearbracket.
 13. A cabinet as in claim 12 wherein said top and rear flangesextend below said coupling elements.
 14. A cabinet comprising at leastone side member, or a back panel and a top member having at least oneside flange or a rear flange and a corresponding side bracket or rearbracket extending downwardly adjacent said respective side or rearflange, and said side member or back panel respectively disposed betweena respective side flange and side bracket or said rear flange and rearbracket respectively, and further comprising first cooperating parts onsaid side member or said back panel and second cooperating parts on saidside bracket or said rear bracket, respectively, said first and secondcooperating parts defining a coupling element securing said top memberto said side member or said top member to said back panel, respectively.15. A cabinet comprising a top member and two side members each havingan elongated column at forward edges thereof, said cabinet furtherincluding a front corner member at a forward corner of said top member,said corner member extending from said top member downwardly into arespective one of said columns.
 16. A cabinet as in claim 15 whereinsaid front member includes a flange at an upper edge thereof lying in aplane parallel to said top member.
 17. A cabinet as in claim 16 whereinsaid flange is attached to said top member.
 18. A cabinet as in claim 15wherein said front corner member includes a first cooperating part andsaid one column includes a second cooperating part, said parts combiningtogether to form a coupling element securing said front corner member tosaid one column.
 19. A cabinet having a top member, wall membersincluding side wall members and at least a back wall member, said topmember having side and rear flanges depending from side and rearportions of said top member, and respective side and rear bracketsdepending from said top member adjacent to said respective flanges, saidside wall members at upper portions thereof defining first cooperatingparts, said respective brackets defining second cooperating parts, saidfirst and second cooperating parts securing said side wall members tosaid top member when upper portions of said wall members are disposedbetween respective ones of said flanges and said brackets.
 20. A cabinetas in claim 19 further including two corner frame members depending fromsaid top member proximate respective forward corners thereof, said sidemembers defining columns proximate forward edges thereof, said cornerframe members residing in said columns when said wall members aredisposed between respective ones of said flanges and said brackets. 21.A cabinet having side wall members and a front kick plate, said sidewall members having bottom flanges and tabs proximate forward portionsof said flanges, said tabs being movable into interfering relation withsaid kick plate to retain said kick plate in position.
 22. A cabinetcomprising a top member, two side members, a back member, a bottommember and a kick plate member, said top member having two front cornersand a corner post depending downwardly from said corners; said sidemembers having flanges extending along forward edges thereof anddefining columns; said corner posts being captured in said columns,respectively; said top member having respective rear and side flangesdepending downwardly from edges of said top members and said top memberhaving elongated brackets depending therefrom proximate said rear andside flanges, respectively; said side and back members each having upperedges captured between said respective flanges and said brackets.
 23. Acabinet as in claim 22 wherein said kick plate has respective ends andincluding: a corner member attached to each of said ends of said kickplate; said corner member captured within respective ones of saidcolumns; and bendable tabs defined in said side members engaging saidcorner members and holding said corner members in respective ones ofsaid columns.
 24. A cabinet as in claim 23 further including cooperatingdetent means in said flanges and said corner posts and said cornermembers for locking said corner posts and said corner members in saidcolumns, respectively.
 25. A cabinet as in claim 22 wherein said bottommember includes side flanges interconnected to respective ones of saidside members, said side members including elongated, upwardly directedtabs, said bottom member side flanges disposed between said tabs andsaid side members, respectively.
 26. A cabinet as in claim 25 whereinsaid bottom member includes a rear flange and said back member comprisesan elongated upwardly directed tab, said rear flange of said bottommember disposed between said tab of said back member and said backmember.
 27. A cabinet as in claim 26 wherein said bottom member has afront edge portion, said front edge portion engaging on and supported bysaid kick plate member.
 28. A cabinet as in claim 27 wherein said frontedge portion includes a front flange overlapping a portion of said kickplate.
 29. A method of assembling a cabinet comprising inserting a wallcomponent into a gap between a flange extending from a cabinet top and abracket extending from said top adjacent said flange and connecting saidwall component to said top in a position between said bracket and saidflange.
 30. A method of assembling a cabinet without separate fastenerswherein selected components defining said cabinet each include at leastone cooperating part of at least one coupling element said cooperatingparts being defined integrally in said respective components and saidmethod comprising the steps of: juxtaposing respective componentsadjacent one another; positioning one respective component so itsintegrally defined cooperating part is operatively aligned with acooperating part of another respective component; moving said respectivecomponents with respect to each other so said cooperating parts arecoupled together to secure said respective components together; andlikewise combining other components to define said cabinet.